Scenic Irrawaddy (Part 4)

Ray Martin wrapped up his Mystical Myanmar expedition with Scenic.

Ray Martin wrapped up his Mystical Myanmar expedition with Scenic. From his starting point in Mandalay, the last royal capital, he travelled down the Irrawaddy River on Scenic Aura in complete luxury. Stops at villages gave a true insight into the way of life of the people and the country’s amazing history. This memorable journey wrapped up in bustling Yangon, Myanmar’s largest and most populous city, where there were still some final sights to explore.

Join Scenic on an all-inclusive 14-day Mystical Irrawaddy Cruise and Tour. Prices start from $9,490pp twin share. If you book now you can fly for free.

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Prices correct at 21.04.18 Conditions and travel dates apply.

Highlights:

From the final stop of Yangon,Ray chose the Scenic Enrich option of taking a ferry ride to Dala. While it’s home to 100,000 people and just across the river from Yangon, it is a whole different world.

Sadly the very poor town was devastated by a cyclone in 2008 and with no government money available and being too poor to live in Yangon, the residents travel across to work in Yangon by ferry each day. Still lacking a bridge across the Yangon River the township remains largely rural.

Walking along the streets with guide Mo was a humbling experience. While locals exist with just the bare necessities, Scenic guests were overwhelmed by the hospitality and kindness they were yet again shown.

Ray was invited to Mo’s home to meet his family and stopped at the market to purchase a gift for his wife. While Mo works very hard as a trishaw driver, he needs to have a very lucky day to be able to buy a chicken, so that was Ray’s gift. In fact, he bought two and the luxury was greatly received.

Back in Yangon, Ray finished his memorable journey with a truly spectacular sight, the famous Schwedagon Pagoda. It can be seen from almost everywhere in the city and its splendour and extravagance are unmatched.

In a country of over four thousand pagodas, to be known as the grandest of them all is no mean feat. Rising almost 100 metres and caked in gold and gold leaf, it is estimated to worth around A$5 billion. Every Buddhist dreams of going there to pray at least once in their life.

At the end of this remarkable journey, everyone agreed that while this marvellous country has so much to offer, it really is the people they will remember.

Ray marvelled at the innocence of Myanmar which, unlike the rest of Asia, hasn’t seen hordes of tourists. The warm welcome and constant smiles he received from the locals is something he’ll never forget.